English/Irish/Celtic Christianity vs. Roman Christianity

The Navitgatio is the document in The Age of Bede that was written the latest but whose subject matter is the earliest. It represents Irish monasticism which had a character distinct from the Eastern Benedictine monasticism of its day. After the death of St. Patrick in 461, monasteries started to become the most important element of social life in Ireland. Ireland had no civil government to speak of and had never been part of the Roman Empire. As a result, life was still tribal and monasteries were built up out of extended family units. Thus, monks included most people in families. Many forms of life were represented as well. The Abbot became very important and his power often challenged that of the Bishop.

When Augustine went to England in 597, he brought Christianity to the Anglo-Saxons and set up hierarchical diocese in Canterbury, Rochester...